Category: Helpful Guides

Road Trip: Part 3 – 16 miles in Pinnacles National Park – the High Peaks, Balconies Caves, and Bear Gulch

@serafinahikes

There is no better time to explore Pinnacles than early spring, after the caves cease flooding, and when all are open, which is usually only a few weeks of the year. Pinnacles National Park is located in central California, in a rural area between Paso Robles and Monterey. It tends to be warm here much of the year, so weather is a factor in deciding a good time to visit here. Other factors to consider when visiting are Condor Nesting season, which closes the High Peaks, and rain, which closes part of the Bear Gulch, along with Balconies trails. I hiked about 16 miles today, exploring all of Pinnacles in a day.

2 Peaks in a Day: Bedford and Bald Peak

@serafinahikes

The trailhead to Bedford Peak is located by the Maple Springs Visitors Center, along Maple Springs Rd., an OHV road which leads you from Silverado Canyon, up toward North Main Divide Rd. in the Santa Ana Mountains. I arrived at Maple Springs around 7 am, finding the gate was open so we were able to drive up the road  about 1/2 mile to park by the trailhead. Had there been recent rain, the gate would have been closed to traffic for 48 hours. There are only about 6 parking spots at the trailhead in front of the gate. I was greeted by a bright yellow sunflower, likely sprouted from a stray sunflower seed. Birds drop seeds from feeders, and are the reason you may see non-natives sprouting along the trail. The first mile or so of trail are made up of two long switchbacks through a canyon, dotted in sycamore trees, scattered in early spring wildflowers, shrubs and vines.

2 Peaks in a day: El Cajon Mountain and El Capitan

@serafinahikes

My hike to El Cajon Mountain (ECM summit) and El Capitan, was a long time coming. I had wanted to hike to these two San Diego foothill peaks for a couple of years. I was waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. The weather and conditions were right, it was the right season, and I was finally feeling up for the challenge, fitness wise.

Buck Gully in December

@serafinahikes

It was a cool late afternoon in December as I headed over to the Buck Gully Trail in Corona Del Mar.As I trodded along listening to the sound of the peaceful creek which flows alongside the trail, I felt like I was walking within a zen retreat of some sort. There was a very gradual amount of gain along the way on this hike. My hike today was only about 4 miles to the signage by the powerpole, and back, although there is an extension that continues onto San Joaquin Hills Road, which I did not explore. I would also consider this a wonderful easy hike if you're just starting to get into hiking and don't want something that's too technical or long. 

Stonewall Peak and Cuyamaca Rancho in Fall

@serafinahikes

So this would be my second hike in this beautiful historic wilderness park, and former rancho, with habitation dating back over 9,000 years. It was the home of the Kumeyaay tribe, and seven villages were located here. It would be my second time hiking here. I was coming on a busy weekend in fall. I drove up Hwy-79 and parked at Trout Pond trailhead, not noticing any indication of a need to display a parking pass here. There were about 5 cars parked here, and across the road. I exited my car and was just in awe of the fall colors. It had been unknown to me in planning this hike that the fall colors would be at their peak. I began hiking along the Marty Minshall Trail, heading towards the forest, which was glowing in shades of bright yellow.